20 Dec Restoration vs. Demolition—What’s Common For Damaged Properties In North Carolina?

When your property gets damaged, it’s easy to want to hold on to what you’ve still got. However, sometimes it’s better for you and for the property to starting over from scratch. That way, you can rebuild something that makes your dreams come true.

In North Carolina, there is a lot of damaging weather along with the beautiful days. What’s a homeowner to do: restore or demolish?

There are several considerations to make for each option. A lot of that has to do with the damage your property suffered. You’ll also want to factor in the price, duration, legal permission, and the final result. You should always talk about the possible solutions with your chosen contractor. However, here are our helpful hints from our pros at All Dry USA!

Demolition

Demolition involves dismantling or demolishing a load-bearing structure. It can take anywhere from a few hours to a whole week, depending on the size of the job. Demolition happens with the use of either manual or mechanical equipment. This type of project can range in cost.

Restoration

Restoration returns a building to its previous state. Some people may confuse this with a renovation. However, renovation brings a building to a newer and different condition. Restoration can also vary in duration and cost, depending on how much work is to be done.

What to Consider for Demolition

If you are considering demolition, there are some factors to keep in mind:

Historical Significance: Is it a historically significant building? Before demolition, you need to ensure you aren’t breaking any historic preservation codes.

Permit Permission: You’ll need to get a permit for this far in advance. It can take a long time to get full permission, even if the building suffered weather damage.

Teardown Restrictions: These can exist for the planned structure. If you tear down, there might be restrictions on what the architecture must look like once it’s rebuilt. If you plan to tear down, find out if there are any restrictions and if you’ll be able to create the structure of your dreams.

Utilities: Keep in mind that demolition means you’ll have to disconnect all utilities and start from scratch.

Mortgage: If there’s a mortgage on the property, then the lender must be part of the decision.

What to Consider for Restoration

The restoration process can come with both setbacks and advantages:

Accumulating Costs: Restoration can be a more affordable alternative to demolition. At the same time, the costs can also quickly add up. The costs may be difficult to set in stone at the beginning. What you thought you would pay for and what the contractor asks for might be very different in estimations.

Unknown Damage: Sometimes there can be unknown damage to the home. A proper inspection should take place to identify these risks. Without it, the damage could compromise the integrity of the structure. It could even put the entire restoration at risk.

Historic Layouts: Historic homes often have particular layouts. These sometimes can be difficult to work or rebuild around.

Building Codes: Building codes in the past were much more relaxed than they are today. As such, it can be difficult to rebuild something according to the original build plans. Modern building codes might not allow it. If you can’t rebuild your home in the same way it was, and that’s what you desire, you might as well start over from scratch.

Historic Rehab: Rehabilitating or restoring a historic building has its perks. One of these is that you might able to receive hefty tax credits for this work.

Benefits of Deconstruction: Deconstructing a house means you can reuse the materials elsewhere. This can provide serious financial and environmental benefits. Mainly, you can cut down on the costs of materials. In addition, you are recycling and not producing new waste! If you don’t have a use for these materials, you may be able to donate them. Donations can also get a tax deduction. Deconstruction before restoration is great for this reason. However, it does take a lot longer than demolition

LEED Certification: Restorations means you might qualify for LEED certification. This means the design of the building saves energy, water, air quality, environmental factors, and building materials. This could get you additional tax credits.

Call Us for Damage Restoration

Whether you demolish or restore your North Carolina home after damage, you know who to call. All Dry USA will handle all your North Carolina damage restoration. We’ll look over your damage with you and discuss all your options. Let’s find a solution that will meet your needs and get your home back to good-as-new in no time.